Microsoft Patents Multiple-Access-Level Lock Screen

Often, we share our devices with others. Be it with a group of family members or friends, or someone in the group borrows the user’s device to watch a video, look at images, listen to music, play a game, make a phone call, send a message, search for information on the Internet, etc. These use cases exposes high-level risk to user’s data if the device is misused. With this patent, Microsoft is describing multiple access level lockscreen system which will allow users to share their devices without compromising their security or privacy.

Abstract:

A multiple-access-level lock screen system allows different levels of functionality to be accessed on a computing device. For example, when a device is in a locked state, a user can select (e.g., by making one or more gestures on a touchscreen) a full-access lock screen pane and provide input that causes the device to be fully unlocked, or a user can select a partial-access lock screen pane and provide input that causes only certain resources (e.g., particular applications, attached devices, documents, etc.) to be accessible. Lock screen panes also can be selected (e.g., automatically) in response to events. For example, when a device is in a locked state, a messaging access lock screen pane can be selected automatically in response to an incoming message, and a user can provide input at the messaging access lock screen pane that causes only a messaging application to be accessible.

Source: USPTO

Some links in the article may not be viewable as you are using an AdBlocker. Please add us to your whitelist to enable the website to function properly.